Rockport news

By Stephanie Kumble | Jan 10, 2013

Not to miss

Citizens for Value In Education will meet tonight, Jan. 10, at 7 p.m. at the Opera House. Alex Armentrout has pulled together a superb group of school officials to address suggestions for cost cutting/cost control in the ongoing Fiscal Year 2013-14 schools budgets process. Guests include Gretchen Richards, chairwoman of the CSD Board and former chairwoman of the CSD Finance Committee; Matt Dailey, chairman of the SAD 28 Finance Committee, Elaine Nutter, Superintendent of Schools, and Cathy Murphy, Finance Director for the CSD and SAD 28.

This meeting is especially timely not only for the 2013-14 budget process, but also because the governor’s cuts in already approved funding may result in more than $100,000 in state aid cuts to the CSD/SAD 28 for the balance of this school year. Even if you’ve never attended a VIE meeting, this one would be a good place to begin. Thanks, Alex for your steadfast work with VIE and the school budget process.

Town meetings

The Harbor Committee will meet Thursday, Jan. 10, at 5:15 p.m. and there will be a Select Board Workshop with the Conservation Commission at 7 p.m. And, the Conservation Commission will meet Friday, Jan. 11, at 8 a.m. All meetings are at the town office unless otherwise specified.

Dog licenses

Aha! Although Dec. 31 was the deadline to get your dog(s) licensed, the state-imposed $25 late fee doesn’t kick in until Feb. 1. The cost of the license is $6 for spayed/neutered dogs, $11 for others. Be sure to bring proof of up-to-date rabies vaccination.

Not too late

You’ve probably read about the high number of cases of flu throughout the state. If getting your flu shot slipped by you, check with Pen Bay Hospital or your primary care physician to locate places/clinics to get the shot. It’s worth it. In that line of medical things, I was surprised when I had my annual physical to learn the recommendations for length of time between tetanus shots has shortened (essential for gardeners, all active outdoorspeople), and that whooping cough protection has been added to the tetanus booster.

Ashwood Waldorf School

The 10-week session of parent/child classes with early childhood educator Cherry Short-Lee, continues today, Thursday, Jan. 10, (and next week, Jan. 17) from 9 to 11:30 a.m. Classes (children 18 months to age three and a parent), feature activities such as circle rhymes, songs, bread making, a puppet story, outdoor/indoor play and everyone shares in a delicious snack. Visit ashwoodwaldorf.org for more information.

Kids & Families First workshop

The process of problem solving, engaging both children and parents, supports children in making decisions and confronting challenges, teaching collaboration skills that bring win/win solutions. Judith Orne of Kids & Families First will present a six-session workshop that will address tools for making real change in connective communication and problem solving for everyday parenting and family relationships, beginning Tuesday, Jan 15, from 6 to 8 p.m. in Camden. Location will be determined by registration. You need to preregister by Jan 11. Call Judith at 603-801-6382 or email kidsandfamiliesfirst@gmail.com.

Coastal Quilters

Join this group at 9:30 a.m. (coffee and socializing), Saturday, Jan. 12, at the Camden Lions’ Club on Lions’ Lane in Camden. Program/workshop “Template-Free Appliqué” featuring Coastal Quilters member Barb Melchiskey begins promptly at 10 a.m. Contact Barb at 236-9665 for a list of materials you need to bring, or bring your own project to work on. Refreshments, show-and-tell and a short business meeting follow the program.

America's Music

This exciting, free six-week program, a project of the Tribeca Film Institute in consultation with the American Library Association and the Society for American Music, begins Sunday, Jan. 13, at 3 p.m. at Camden Public Library. This week’s film is "The Blues and Gospel Music." The program is made possible through the support of the National Endowment for the Humanities and the Maine Humanities Council.

Encore

There will be a “Live from the Met” encore performance of "Berlioz’s Les Troyens," Francesca Zambello’s acclaimed 2003 production of Berlioz’s Trojan War epic Tuesday, Jan. 15. Note, start time is noon (doors open at 11:30 a.m.) for this lengthy opera (approximate running time 5 hours,30 minutes).

Politics

Knox County Democrats will meet Tuesday, Jan. 15, at Stella Maris House in Rockland. Potluck supper at 6 p.m., business meeting at 7 p.m. Agenda items include election of officers for the next two years and a brief presentation by BJ McCollister of Maine Citizens for Clean Elections on their Move to Amend efforts (to amend the U. S. Constitutional to reverse the Citizens United Supreme Court decision). For more information go to knoxmainedemocrats.org.

Music at Noon

This series presented by Bay Chamber Concerts and the Farnsworth Art Museum, in partnership with the University of Southern Maine School of Music, continues Wednesday, Jan. 16, at noon at Farnsworth Library. Perfect way to spend your lunch hour!

Books, plus

The Writers’ Group, open to all writers, published or aspiring, works in all genres welcome, will meet Wednesday, Jan 16, at 6:30 p.m. The group is facilitated by author/library staff member Fran Hodgkins. And, the Poets’ Corner facilitated by local poets George Chappell and Jim Ostheimer (open to the public, all levels of ability and experience welcome), will meet next Thursday, Jan. 17, from 4 to 5:30 p.m. For more information about these programs or the library, call 236-3642 or visit rockport.lib.me.us.

Beat the blahs!

Lesia Sochor will begin a new 4-week session of watercolor classes at Merryspring beginning Thursday, Jan. 17, from 9 a.m. to noon. Lesia’s freeing philosophy that “anyone has the ability to create” has inspired numerous students. Pre-registration required, class size limited. Call MNC at 236-2239 for registration information. And, keep in mind that MNC’s “Tuesday Winter Talk Series” will begin Jan. 22 at noon. Go to merryspring.org for a complete list of the programs/speakers.

Night skies, etc.

Venus appears on the southeast horizon, today, Thursday, Jan. 10, with a visit from the thin crescent moon. The new moon appears Friday, Jan. 11, and Sunday, Jan. 13, Mars will lie directly below the crescent moon about an hour after sunset. With the crystal clear nights we’ve had, the skies have been spectacular! Enjoy.